Job Vacancy BISHO at International Labour Organization (ILO) South Africa – Technical Advisor May, 2020

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Technical Advisor for Employment Intensive Approaches (TA -EIA) 1 Grade: P4 Vacancy no.: DC/PRETORIA/2020/P/02 Publication date: 28 April 2020
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 15 May 2020 Job ID: 3388 Department: RO-Africa Organization Unit: DWT/CO-Pretoria Location: Bisho Contract type: Fixed Term Contract duration: 01/07/2020 to 30/06/2021
Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General. In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date (midnight Geneva time).
Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A three months short-term contract will be given, with a posibility of further extension and change of contract to a fixed-term. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.
The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

Introduction
The ILO is providing a technical assistance to the South African Government in the planning, coordination and monitoring of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which is one of its flagship programmes aimed at combating persistent unemployment, inequality and poverty particularly among the historically disadvantaged people. The EPWP is one of the largest public employment programmes in the world and implemented in four sectors: infrastructure, environment and culture, social and non-state (Not for Profit) sectors. Its greatest strengths include leveraging public infrastructure investments to maximise employment and employability through technical and entrepreneurial skills development as well as to improve service delivery for the vulnerable sections of the community.

The ILO provides support in building the capacities of public implementing bodies and private sector service providers for the management and delivery of public works programs as well as in enhancing procedures and processes for application of employment intensive methodologies in line with Decent Work principles and international good practices. The ILO also supports the development of local capacity for the training, research and development on innovative and transformative infrastructure delivery that is attuned to the Future of Work associated with the transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Climate Change.

The ILO deployed two teams of qualified engineers, one at National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the other based in Limpopo Province. The Technical Advisor for Employment Intensive Approaches (TA-EIA) will be joining the team at the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and will be based in Pietermaritzburg. The duty station may be changed to align with the need to optimise support to the EPWP. TA-EIA will also provide technical support to other provinces as per time input and geographic scope agreed with the ILO Team Leader.

Reporting lines:
Under the overall supervision of the Director of ILO DWT for Eastern and Southern Africa and Country Office for South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini, the TA-EIA will work under the direct supervision of the ILO Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), who is the project Team Leader. The incumbent of the position will be primarily responsible for supporting the implementation of the infrastructure component of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), with a special focus on mainstreaming employment intensive approaches in the development and maintenance of National and Provincial Roads as well as in promoting Employment-intensive approach in other EPWP sectors. He /She will also support the DPWI in building a national training and advisory capacity for labour-based technology.

In order to provide a coordinated input and ensure delivery of the project, the incumbent will work closely with his/her host Provincial Department, EPWP National Infrastructure Chief Directorate, EIIP Specialist attached to the ILO Decent Work Team in Pretoria and staff from other ILO supported projects operating in South Africa. The incumbent is required to extensively travel within and outside the host province. The timing of missions to the non-host provinces shall be based on a programme developed by the TA-EII in consultation with the ILO Team Leader and the EPWP Coordinator for the Province to which he/she is attached.

Description of Duties
The TA-EIA will support the implementation of the infrastructure component of the EPWP with a special focus on provincial roads and promoting of Employment-intensive approach in all the EPWP sectors.

Policy development and promotion
Drafts concept and discussion documents and assist in the development and promotion of public employment and infrastructure investment policies, sustainable livelihood strategies and green jobs;
• Participate in the development (concepts, meetings, workshops) of EPWP policies and strategic planning processes.
• Produce policy and technical recommendations and participate in preparatory processes for post EPWP Phase 5.

Skills / Capacity Development
Conduct training and study visits to enhance knowledge, skills and technical capacity of EPWP Stakeholders, including officials of public bodies and Implementers, in the use of labour-intensive approach in the delivery of infrastructure investment, climate resilient public employment works and sustainable livelihoods programmes;
• Contribute to the training needs assessment as well as in the development of relevant and up to date training curricula and materials.
• Conduct training and Reorientation of EPWP stakeholders such as Officials involved in coordinating and managing and implementation of the EPWP nationally, in provinces and municipalities.
• Promote and support (concepts, institutional arrangements, procurement plans) the establishment and institutionalization of labour intensive training centres..
• Enhance (training, technical guidelines, management tools) contractor capacity to implement labour intensive projects.
• Facilitate national study tours (for knowledge and experience sharing among provinces).


Project Management and Technical Support
Develop implementation tools and assist public bodies in the identification, planning, and implementation of infrastructure projects in a manner that increases labour intensity and is compliant with EPWP and decent work principles;
• Produce planning, design and implementation Guidelines for EPWP implementers including on emerging issues such as climate change adaptation, Green Works and the Future of Work in the transition to the Fourth Industrial revolution.
• Conduct site visits and provide pro-active and re-active on-going technical support to practitioners and officials of institutions implementing the EPWP technical – existing and new EPWP partners.
• Assist EPWP partners with alignment of contract documents to EPWP prescripts.
• Participate in ad-hoc and periodic programming, monitoring, reviews and evaluation processes at provincial and national levels.
• Prepare monthly reports and contribute to preparation and consolidation of quarterly and bi-annual progress reports and minutes of meetings and submit the same to the ILO Team Leader according to agreed formats and timeframe.
• Prepare monthly and ad-hoc technical reports to the EPWP Coordinators for the Province to which he/she is attached and other provinces that he/she is responsible for providing technical support.
• Provide technical advice to emerging consultants, contractors and mentors in project planning, design and supervision as well as realigning of project activities to EPWP and LIC principles;

Description of Duties cont.
Research
In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, carry out researches and studies that address challenges and contribute to optimization and mainstreaming of the labour-intensive delivery of infrastructure investment, public employment and sustainable livelihoods programmes;

• Review existing programmes; identify and recommend areas for improvement and models that can be replicated by other implementing bodies.
• Explore and recommend potential new areas of expansion for the EPWP including on emerging issues such as climate change adaptation, Green Works, innovative and energy neutral approaches and the Future of Work in the transition to the Fourth Industrial revolution.
• Explore partnerships with Universities in research (lecturers and students).
• Participate in the design and monitoring of field trials and quality assurance of infrastructure works to ensure productivity, quality and effectiveness in the delivery of employment intensive infrastructure projects.
• Paticipate in Development knowledge products including the low cost Computer and Web based Programs and solutions aimed at assisting emerging Consulting Engineers and Contractors in planning, design and construction of public infrastructure.

Advocacy
Promote adoption and application of good practices, policies, frameworks, norms and standards that enhance gender equity, efficiency, effectiveness and impact of the EPWP;.

• Identify, disseminate, showcase and promote (video documentaries, write-up of success stories) adoption of good practices used in South Africa.
• Adapt and contextualise good practices (case studies, knowledge exchange visits) from other countries and promote adoption by partners.
• Promote (during site visits, training, meetings, conferences) adherence to appropriate labour standards and decent work principles relevant to EPWP.
• Provide advisory support to the Provincial EPWP Coordinators in the development of tools to monitor services delivered, assets created and impact assessment of EPWP programmes.
• Prepare technical papers and/or participate in relevant national and international fora (conferences, EPWP summits) in support of implementation of the EPWP.
• Collaborate (joint programming, training, research, publications) with the ILO Limpopo Technical Assistance team to complement each other and create synergies.

Any other duties as assigned by the Director or the CTA .

Required qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree in Civil Engineering or other related disciplines with demonstrated expertise in road sector, project management, capacity building as well as development and delivery of training programmes in the above areas. In addition, he/she should have proven qualification on employment intensive technology.

Experience
Minimum of Eight years of professional experience in the infrastructure sector involving national/local government bodies, donor agencies and heterogeneous teams composed of consultants, experts, and local collaborators of different educational and cultural background. The incumbent of the position should have at least three years of working experience at international level, including on infrastructure development programmes, employment intensive works and technical & vocational training delivery. Moreover, the incumbent of the position should have a proven experience in the planning, implementation and monitoring of technical training on labour-based technology. Demonstrated working knowledge of Building Works, Water and Sanitation, Waste management, or environmental conservation works will be an added advantage. Demonstrated working knowledge of emerging issues such as climate resilient infrastructure, Future of Work and how to leverage the Fourth Industrial Revolution to create new employment opportunities would be a distinct advantage. Knowledge of software Programming will also be considered as an advantage.

Experience with the ILO, particularly on technical cooperation projects, familiarity with ILO policies and procedures, or experience with UN or other international development agencies and work experience in the sub-Saharan Africa (including South Africa) would be an added advantage.
Languages
Excellent command of English is required and the ability to speak the local language is an added advantage

Competencies
• Ability to influence attitudinal changes in partners towards use of labour-intensive methods;
• Ability to build relationships at different levels
• Must have a flair for public speaking to large heterogeneous audiences;
• Proven Technical Report writing skills;
• Knowledge of Strategy formulation and business/work planning;
• Ability to influence attitudinal changes in partners towards the use of labour-intensive methods;
• Must have ability to work with diverse multi-discipline teams;
• Ability to provide policy advice and the ability to manage large programmes and coordinate activities among components;
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach and mentor counterpart staff;
• Ability to import and contextualise international best practices;
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision;
• Ability to address broader issues outside field of specialization; and
• Good computing skills, at least in Microsoft (MS) Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint
Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
• Any extension of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit: http://ilo.plateau.com/icontent/CUSTOM/ilo/HRD_PMDOCS/Emp_Conds_EN.pdf

Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO People. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.
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